Ok, so, let’s be honest…I dropped off the face of the earth when it comes to this blog.
Here a few reasons: time (lack of it), facebook is more convenient, I’m integrating Twitter.
(pause)
I don’t have a ton of time for this post, but I’m going to try something new… the rest of this post will be taken from my status updates on Facebook. If we’re friends on Facebook, then chances are ood that you’ve already seen these. Buuut, since my blog also serves as a ‘yearbook’ of some of my life, I’m using updates here to keep that concept going… facebook cuts off the ends of some (the older the posts get).

Here goes…

June 20 at 11:19amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, is pleased to announce the birth of Jacob Grayden Smith (6lbs, 12 oz), born at 9:59am. Total labor: 8hr & 6 minutes. :):) The meet/greet at Holy Cross will be available when Greg says so, so please wait for an update.

June 24 at 1:04pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, has a LOCAL market update: a healthy inventory for SCV is between 2-3k homes for sale. As of this week, there are only 780 active listings in SCV (all price ranges). If you’ve been waiting for the ‘bottom’, I think we’re hovering dangerousl

June 24 at 5:36pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE just got HOOKED up!! 4 workers, 3 hours, $75=the cleanest her house house has EVER been! If you don’t mind the foreman singing 80s love songs like he means it, lots of cleaning fumes and the cleaning crew being 3 hours late, then she can

June 26 at 12:37amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, l-uuu-uu-uu-vs working at Keller Williams VIP Properties. (that’s right, Very Important People Properties’?). Even after an 18 hour work day, her KWVIP reflections yield love! She attended her 1st sales meeting… it opened with the ple

June 26 at 12:22pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, STRONGLY suggests that you give your A/C a test run today…tomorrow is supposed to be blazing in SCV. Find out early if your AC needs service (hard to find repairmen on the weekend). :)

June 27 at 10:49pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, just got back from 30 fantastic hours with the Harveys! Highlights include: 1 mini-van road trip with Z & T only (Yes please!!!), 1 Surprise retirement party for Grandpa Harvey (hilarious), 100s of laughs (mostly courtesy of Kristin, Ken,

July 1 at 10:33amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, would like a FB option that says ‘Sam Neylan acknowledges this’. The ‘Likes This’ thumbs up is somewhat limiting. Yes. A flat hand that says ‘Sam Neylan acknowledges this’ would be appropriately comparable to the real life head nod accompan

July 4 at 9:56am ·Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, just went to Kevin Mather’s blog. He’s a Copperhill Community Church guy and a TMC grad who was cycling with a group of guys and was hit by a car and is in critical condition. Please visit his blog (for what happened and upda…tes), pray for him, comment if you feel inclined. He’s married too, so please pray for her too. http://kevinsrecovery.com/blog/

July 7 at 9:31amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, just had a FANTASTIC customer service experience (once she got to upper management)! Conclusion: all charges refunded on the credit card. And, bonus: her blood pressure never spiked and she did not sin in the process. :) Baby steps.

July 10 at 1:01amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE is wondering if she mentioned how much she loves working at her new brokerage, Keller Williams VIP Properties? Oh. She did mention it? Huh. Ok, well, good to know.

July 11 at 4:57pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, recounts a recent conversation with a colleague/rep trying to earn her business. REP: “Sam, do you believe in the law of attraction”. SAM: “No, I would not say that.” REP: “What would you say?” SAM: “I’d say I believe in God’s Sovereignty.

July 12 at 11:03pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE’s sabbath rest included: church, helping out a friend for fundraising for son’s MS event, a trip to AT&T with Jonathan (the best customer service rep ever), a pedicure, dinner sitting across from Cesar Millan (you know him and love him, more

July 13 at 8:47am Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, is now taking your suggestions for your favorite iPhone apps. Specifically for Twitter, Bible, Real Estate, and any of your other favorites that you think Sam needs to have. Please include the app name and why you recommend it please! Br

July 14 at 11:46pm · Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, just saw a free screening of the movie FOOD, INC. in Pasadena, sponsored by Chipotle. Mostly a good movie (depending on your world view). Probably a movie that everyone should watch and at least discuss.

July 16 at 7:06pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, can’t remember who was wanting the ant killer suggestions? Well, whoever your are, google this mixture: Borax, sugar, water. (ex mix 1 cup warm water with sugar and borax (tablespoons of each: just a little bit more sugar than borax). Pu

July 17 at 11:22am Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, got a ‘Quotes’ app. Interesting. In flipping through some, it’s amazing how many great quotes are really just eloquently worded lies that perpetuate a Godless worldview. The app has become a game: to filter each quote through the grid of Sc

July 17 at 10:14pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, had waaaay more fun working the registration table (at WDW) than she thought she would. Mostly because it was a mega reunion with SO many cool people that she hadn’t seen in years! Here’s to Saturday’s reg-table reunions (SRTR)!

July 20 at 9:58amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, wants to share this recent article about how Kevin’s church has made it known to the onlookers that they’re Christians by their love (for kevin). http://www.the-signal.com/news/article/15712/ And, thanx to Kevin’s chu…rch for using technology to help mobilize all the people who want to/do help during crisis and rehab! Way to not waste Kevin’s accident!

Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, is listening to Pete Huttlinger’s album ‘Naked Pop’ …MAN he’s good! Check him out http://petehuttlinger.com/ or sample his stuff on iTunes. If you dig some of the best guitar finger work ever, then you’re going to want to be a part of thi

July 21 at 8:40amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, is inviting you (all 800 something FB friends) to vote for a burrito creation her friend Wendy created for Chipotle. Wendy and & Sam go way back… they were badminton partners in high school…that about says it all. Wendy is fu…n, hilarious, smart, creative, a mom, a wife and has one of THE best laughs… come on, won’t you give her a quick vote? http://mychipotle.com/#/view_submission/63085

July 22 at 8:35amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, just re-read Piper’s post on ‘Why I Tweet’. Whoever you are (and if you exist in this world with all the ever changing technology, which I think you do…if you’re reading this update then I know you do), I encourage you to read it. http://ow.ly/hIAw

July 22 at 5:17pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, totally thinks the iPhone is like an In ‘n Out menu… all their goodness is not advertised on the front marquis. You have to know someone and get tipped off about a fantastic secret menu item that will change your life. Well, the REAL-TO

July 27 at 8:21amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, is reminding all potential SCV buyers that the $8k tax credit is only available if you CLOSE escrow BY 12/1/09. As of today, there are only 707 ACTIVE listings on the market in SCV. Pending/Back up listings=1,026. Buy low, sell high. :)

July 31 at 12:05amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, had to work so she didn’t get to watch the live SYTYCD results show which is why she DVR’d it…but alas, no need to DVR it since some FBers used their status as spoilers. Can’t we all agree that you have to wait till the next morning befo

July 31 at 6:52pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, laughed HARD (really hard) at lunch when she heard the server repeat Holly’s order back to Holly, “So, ranch dressing, tossed in ranch, with ranch on the side? Is that right?”.

August 2 at 10:40pm Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, is offering a refresher course on why ‘REAL-TORE’. It’s the proper way to pronounce my profession: REALTOR. There’s no ‘A’ in between REAL and TOR. So, for those who learn phonetically: REAL-TORE. oh, aaaaand, SHARK WEEK!!!!! :)

August 3 at 3:11pm Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, has 4 things on her mind (well, really 438 things, but for brevity’s sake) let’s go with these: 1) the Harvey baby coming ‘any time now’ 2) SHARK week 3) paperwork and lots of it 4) where is her holy writ? Left it in a car after

August 4 at 1:22amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, is using Tuesday to celebrate the one year anniversary of Brad’s stroke…or as the Worship Team calls it his ‘Strokeaversary’. God’s incredibly good! Amazing to look back and reflect on all that God has done with Brad’s life and that pes

August 6 at 12:00am Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, chooses ‘Great White Appetite’ as her favorite SHARK WEEK show so far. Mostly the opening sequence…unprovoked attack on the filming pontoon out at Guadalupe. Yes please.

August 6 at 12:16pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, is happy to have just learned that her 1st time buyers that closed escrow on 6/23/09 also mailed in their tax credit paperwork the same day (6/23/09) & they had their $8k tax credit check IN THEIR HANDS on 8/3/09! WOW!!! Regardle…ss of how you feel about the 8k source, it’s good to know that something is happening in a timely manner from a government agency! Congrats new homeowners!

August 10 at 9:33am Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, is looking for connections for any Korean churches in the Hollywood/West Hollywood areas. Some clients will be relocating from Korea and want to find a Bible believing church in that general area. Any suggestions?

August 11 at 2:17pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, proudly announces ‘Samantha Grace Harvey’, born at 1:17pm today 8/11/09!!! 8lbs 6 oz, 20 inches long, 11 days early. Healthy and good. Praise the LORD! Kristin wants a chessgeburger a pizza and a cache of sleep!!! Welcome to the world Samantha Grace!!!!

August 11 at 11:54pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, just did this in the last 7 hours: drove to/from Hanford to meet Samantha Grace Harvey. She’s cute & cute! (It seems Zach will be differentiating the Sams as “Little Sam & Big Sam”). Grown up Sam made the trip… with Johnny Cash and his 4 cd set: The Legend. New favorite Cash song, ‘You Can’t Beat Jesus Christ’. Yes please!!!!

August 12 at 4:18pm Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, had fun in real estate today! Bought a new property search/management product that we’re probably all going to love (lots of ‘P’s in that sentence)! Will reveal product later! ALSO, she confirmed what the ‘VIP stands for in ‘Keller Williams VIP Properties': Value, Integrity, Probity! What’s probity, you ask? ‘Adherance to the highest principles and ideas’. and they mean it. Sam hearts KW!!!!!

August 13 at 8:31amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, who doesn’t love cats, had this happen to her 2 nights ago: It was dark out, was working on computer with the window open. Left the room. Whilst walking back to the desk, glanced out the window & saw the bold glistening eyes o…f the ‘dennis the menace’ neighborhood cat comfortably perched on the sill, nose to the screen contentedly watching (me) like he was on his own balcony. Sick. A voyeur cat.

August 15 at 12:00pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, admits…it finally happened. Like the first ding on a brand new car, on Tuesday she dropped her iPhone for the 1st time. Well, now that’s out of the way. Check.

August 15 at 10:05pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, about 30 painful minutes in, walked out of a movie tonight (& got her money back). If you’re not into being barraged with constant filth then you are going to want to avoid this particular movie. She was hoping that if she wa…ded through the initial muck, it would redeem itself. It didn’t. She went home & watched the ever worthy, FLETCH. It was like a reunion with a dear friend. It all worked out.

August 17 at 1:34pm Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, has an urgent request (thank you in advance). Ok, are you or do you know anyone who speaks Korean, knows the west hollywood-ish area & is honest and willing to help a family moving from Korea (translation, etc)? Sam has feelers o…ut, but nothing solid yet. This one is time sensitive. They want the daughter in school by end of August/beginning of September. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Thanks!!!!

August 18 at 1:28pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, had a 1st today. Like in the movies. Pumped gas. While waiting for the gas, went in to buy a drink. Had to wait a LONG time cuz cashier was ‘changing shifts’, per the sign. After 7 minutes in line, went back to the car, go…t in & slowly started to drive away (thank God it was slow). Glanced out passenger mirror to clear the post & realized: still had gas nozzle in tank. 1st time. Check. Next.

August 22 at 1:07pmSam Neylan the REAL-TORE’s highlights from 3 days in Hanford: W-swimming w/Z for hours, Th-Mark’s enchilladas AND capturing the 1st pic of Z holding Sammy (like the Loch Ness), F-capturing the 1st pic of Kristin with her THREE children (note Z’s… resistance) AND only throwing up 8 times, S-kept the graham crackers down all night. Many Kudos to the Harveys for surviving! A great family who loves God and each other and others!

August 25 at 12:01amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, spent almost all day in real estate troubleshooting. Highlights: talking to the CAR attorney (California Association of Realtors), time with branch manager (Sam hearts Keller Williams!), GREAT clients, technology, contracts!

August 27 at 9:28amSam Neylan the REAL-TORE, always has a zillion projects going. About 20 years ago, she started compiling an anthology of her favorite love songs (& a thesis as to why). It’s not finished (probably won’t ever be), but the other day she was thinking… about adding a song to it & she got to wondering what everyone else’s top selections were. What are your ALL time favorite love songs (any era, any genre)? And if you have time, why?

September 1 at 3:20am Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE just did this in the last 4 days: drove to/from the SF Bay Area, fun/gourmet food w/the Seelye’s, went to the SF Farmer’s market, attended a graveside memorial service for 2 family members, fun w/family (as usual! and a midnit…e jacuzzi debrief), Caspers 2x, saw the great white shark at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, took the coastal 1/101 route back to the LA fires!…oh & laughed a LOT with Holly!

Wed at 9:15am Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE’s mom sent this link http://tinyurl.com/m9gwpj and intro’d it by saying ‘the massachusetts “govt that doesn’t let crises go to waste” for purposes of stealing another liberty from its citizens.’ :) S…am loves having a mom who knows what’s going on in the world…and cares about it…and gets involved.

September 4 Thu at 3:00am Sam Neylan the REAL-TORE, just synced and watched some of the footage from the memorial service last weekend. Some touching stuff. And, some VERY Royal Tenenbaum stuff. MAN, her family is funny (sometimes not meaning to be). She’s thankful to be able t…o be a part of it all and thankful to everyone who came and participated! ALSO, that iPhone takes some pretty outstanding video for being… a PHONE.

About Me

...this all started because I currently have too many emails in my inbox that say 'What's going on in your life?'. Frankly, the idea of answering in a centralized location was far less overwhelming to me than writing individual emails...thus getting some information out to the masses. so, please enjoy. i take topic requests too.